Former North Carolina Wedding Venue Owner Pleads Guilty to $1 Million Wire Fraud Scheme

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — The former owner of a well-known North Carolina wedding venue has pleaded guilty in federal court after admitting to operating a wire fraud scheme that defrauded customers and investors of more than $1 million over a period of more than a year.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina, Jason Lottman, 43, of Charlotte, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud stemming from a fraudulent scheme connected to Champagne Manor, a popular wedding venue in Monroe, North Carolina.

Federal prosecutors stated that the scheme operated between October 2023 and January 2025, during which Lottman obtained more than $1 million from customers planning weddings and from individuals who invested in the business.

Court documents show that Lottman solicited investments in Champagne Manor by promising ownership interests, guaranteed financial returns, and other investment incentives. Prosecutors said those promises were supported by false statements designed to convince investors to provide funding despite the venue’s worsening financial condition.

Authorities also said Lottman marketed all-inclusive wedding packages that required couples to pay substantial amounts upfront for services including catering, photography, floral arrangements, entertainment, and hair and makeup. Customers were told those funds would be used to pay vendors directly or reimburse couples who selected their own vendors.

Instead, prosecutors said many vendors were never paid, leaving couples responsible for paying a second time for services they believed had already been covered through their wedding packages. The financial losses affected numerous families preparing for weddings, forcing some to absorb unexpected expenses while attempting to keep their events on schedule.

Federal investigators determined that by mid-2024, Champagne Manor had already defaulted on its mortgage and foreclosure proceedings had begun. Despite knowing the business faced severe financial difficulties and was unlikely to continue operating, Lottman continued accepting payments from new customers and investors without disclosing the venue’s deteriorating financial position.

According to court records, Lottman also made several additional false representations to persuade victims to invest or continue making payments. Among those claims was that Champagne Manor planned to acquire a large glass ballroom that would serve as collateral for certain investment opportunities. Investigators determined that no such purchase ever occurred.

Prosecutors further stated that Lottman promoted investment-style programs and special promotional offers that promised future repayments, refunds, or financial returns he knew could not be fulfilled. When promised payment dates passed without repayment, authorities said he repeatedly provided false explanations for the delays in an effort to keep victims from discovering the true financial condition of the business.

Wire fraud is a federal offense involving the use of electronic communications, including telephone calls, emails, text messages, electronic transfers, or other interstate communications, to carry out fraudulent schemes involving money or property. Federal prosecutors frequently use the statute in complex financial crime investigations involving deceptive business practices and investment fraud.

The wire fraud charge carries a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The final sentence will be determined by the court after considering the advisory federal sentencing guidelines, the scope of the financial losses, victim impact, and other factors required under federal law. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The prosecution is being handled by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Frick for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte.

As the criminal case moves toward sentencing, victims may also pursue restitution through the federal court process. Restitution, when ordered, is intended to compensate victims for documented financial losses resulting from the offense, although recovery often depends on the defendant’s available assets and the court’s final judgment.

This case serves as another reminder that financial fraud can extend beyond traditional investment schemes, affecting families planning significant life events as well as individuals seeking legitimate business investment opportunities. Federal authorities continue to encourage anyone who believes they have been the victim of financial fraud to report the activity promptly so investigators can identify additional victims and preserve evidence before further losses occur.

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